Szafraniec, MB;
Millard, TP;
Ignatyev, K;
Speller, RD;
Olivo, A;
(2014)
Proof-of-concept demonstration of edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast imaging combined with tomosynthesis.
Physics in Medicine and Biology
, 59
(5)
N1 - N10.
10.1088/0031-9155/59/5/N1.
Text
0031-9155_59_5_N1.pdf Available under License : See the attached licence file. Download (1MB) |
Abstract
In this note we present the first proof-of-concept results on the potential effectiveness of the edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast method (in its 'coded-aperture' based lab implementation) combined with tomosynthesis. We believe that, albeit admittedly preliminary (e.g. we only present phantom work), these results deserve early publication in a note primarily for four reasons. First, we fully modelled the imaging acquisition method, and validated the simulation directly with experimental results. This shows that the implementation of the method in the new geometry is understood, and thus that it will be possible to use the model to simulate more complex scenarios in the future. Secondly, we show that a strong phase contrast signal is preserved in the reconstructed tomosynthesis slices: this was a concern, as the high spatial frequency nature of the signal makes it sensitive to any filtration-related procedure. Third, we show that, despite the non-optimized nature of the imaging prototype used, we can perform a full angular scan at acceptable dose levels and with exposure times not excessively distant from what is required by clinical practice. Finally, we discuss how the proposed phase contrast method, unlike other approaches apart from free-space propagation (which however requires a smaller focal spot, thus reducing the flux and increasing exposure times), can be easily implemented in a tomosynthesis geometry suitable for clinical use. In summary, we find that these technical results indicate a high potential for the combination of the two methods. Combining slice separation with detail enhancement provided by phase effects would substantially increase the detectability of small lesions and/or calcifications, which we aim to demonstrate in the next steps of this study.
Type: | Article |
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Title: | Proof-of-concept demonstration of edge-illumination x-ray phase contrast imaging combined with tomosynthesis. |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1088/0031-9155/59/5/N1 |
Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/59/5/N1 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | Copyright © 2014 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine. Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Med Phys and Biomedical Eng |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1426500 |
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